Carer admits stealing from 99-year-old

Ranita Devi. Photo / APN

A care worker has been convicted of ripping off a 99-year-old woman thousands of dollars.

Fiji-born Ranita Devi, 32, of Papatoetoe, pleaded guilty to 16 counts of obtaining money using a bank card belonging to Emilia Antunovich.

Devi first appeared in Auckland District Court last month. At least $25,600 was taken from Antunovich, according to court papers. This month, Devi told the Herald on Sunday she was sorry - and would pay the money back.

"I had so many problems. I was really depressed," she said.

Devi said her husband had not worked for three years and she was the only breadwinner.

She was charged for offences over three months, starting last December. Over a four-day period in late February alone, $16,000 was taken from Antunovich's account.

She said she was employed at a privately-run Ellerslie retirement home when she met Antunovich.

Since being charged, she had written a letter to the family and would pay the 99-year-old back, she said.

The aged-care facility said Devi was no longer employed there.

Devi said she'd never been in trouble with the law before. The Fijian, who is in New Zealand on a working visa, realised it was possible she could be deported. "I'm not sure about that. It's God's decision."

Devi will be sentenced on June 21.